Teak Maintenance

[zeehag]

polysulfide is the black caulking.

[casual]

All Teak lovers ,Listen up,beware of germs in TEAK,I,was removing ports from the side cabin Left elbow resting on teak decks what I,originally was told was Bursitus was a staff infection a small foreign body worked its way to the surface of my elbow Doc said probably wood,2plus two equals teak.ten days of IV's anti biotics to kill staff.Wouldn't want that to happen in a far away land.Anybody know how to keep teak germ free?
Safe Sailing to all

[Ocean Girl]

Salt water is good, were you up stream? Maybe bird poo remnants?
Ocean Girl

PS
Glad you are ok!

[casual]

Yes I,am up stream ,Bird droppings maybe as I,was told by the Doc even after washing the deck which I, did in the morning contamination can still remain.Allis good now and I,do like the teak deck's.LONG SLEVE SHIRTS or a clean pad probably the answer,just wanted to pass along a word of caution to all

[roverhi]

Germs are everywhere, thay just have to catch you at a bad moment to cause serious infection. Nearly lost my arm to a pencil lead as a kid. All you can do is try and stay healthy and take care of even minor abrasions asap after they happen. It's especially bad around saltwater and warm weather. A mild bleach solution applied to any scrapes will go a long way to curing or preventing infections.

[casual]

roverhi,In this case was not aware the piece of teak had even penetrated,No sorness two day's later my elbow was tender and swolen.

[roverhi]

Wasn't saying anything about you, just the teak. The wood has been on the boat for many years and has had plenty of opportunity to pick up germs. The only way to disinfect the teak, and the boat for that matter is with Napalm. We all have to be careful because even a wound so small as go unnoticed can blossom into a nasty staph infection if the conditions are right. Anything that looks like it is beginning to get infected needs immediate and aggressive attention.

[zeehag]

teak also is a poisonous wood. must use caution with it.

[sdowney717]

staph is also on your skin, that wood sliver could have pushed the skin staph into the wound. Your body is a living bacterial factory, many more millions of bacteria live on and in you than the number of your cells.

Not even mentioning the many insectodial mites that live on you.
http://www.worsleyschool.net/science...creatures.html
http://beestingbrose.blogspot.com/20...ash-mites.html